Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, for all people.
This is not the position of one government or one party. It is a longstanding, bipartisan commitment, grounded in our belief in the inherent rights and dignity of every person.
When serious crimes occur, the grief and anger are real, and the desire for justice is entirely human.
But when we look at how the death penalty is used around the world, it becomes clear that it does not deliver justice. It is an affront to it.
First, the evidence shows the death penalty is too often applied unfairly: to people facing economic or educational disadvantage, people living with intellectual, cognitive and psychosocial disability, foreign nationals, women and ethnic minorities.
Second, when mistakes are made - and they are - there is no undoing them. There is no second chance.
Third, the death penalty offers no prospect of rehabilitation.
Fourth, the death penalty does not make communities safer. There is no evidence that it deters crime more effectively than other serious penalties.
And finally, in some countries people can still be put to death for who they love, for what they believe, or as a form of political persecution.
That is not justice.
Australia works for global abolition through every channel available: multilaterally, regionally and bilaterally.
We use international forums, particularly the UN, to call for universal abolition.
We raise our position directly with retentionist countries, including our close partners. These conversations are often private, but they matter.
And we do this work alongside civil society, whose efforts are vital.
Australia's own journey is one we can be proud of. Our last execution, of Ronald Ryan, took place in 1967 – the 60th anniversary of this event is coming up next year.
The death penalty was abolished across every Australian jurisdiction in 1985, and in 2010 Parliament legislated to ensure it can never return.
In 2018, we launched our first Strategy for the Global Abolition of the Death Penalty, under then Foreign Minister Bishop.
In 2022, we co-led the UN General Assembly resolution on the death penalty, and a record number of nations voted in favour.
Last year, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister asked me, as Special Envoy for International Human Rights, to take on a special advocacy role for universal abolition.
And today, I am proud to announce another milestone: the launch of Australia's refreshed Strategy for Abolition of the Death Penalty.
Under this refreshed Strategy, Australia will broaden and strengthen our abolition efforts.
This will include deepening our engagement with civil society; countering the disproportionate and discriminatory application of the death penalty on certain individuals; combating efforts to subvert international human rights obligations; and ensuring abolition is a whole-of-government effort.
The refreshed Strategy is closely informed by the recommendations of the Human Rights Subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, which the Government welcomed earlier this year.
This occasion is an opportunity to reflect on global progress.
One hundred and forty-six countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.
Lebanon abolished it this year, becoming the first country in the Middle East to do so. I was honoured to personally congratulate Lebanon's Ambassador to Australia a few weeks ago.
Vietnam has reduced the number of offences carrying the death penalty and Zimbabwe has abolished it for ordinary crimes. In 2023, Malaysia abolished the mandatory death penalty and Pakistan repealed it for drug-related offences.
But, in these times, when so many hard-won gains are being tested, we must guard against backsliding.
Progress is not inevitable.
Amnesty International reports that executions worldwide in 2025 were the highest since 1981, a 78% increase on 2024.
Drug-related offences accounted for at least 46% of them.
And our home, the Asia-Pacific, remains the region with the most executions.
Given this, Australia's leadership remains crucial.
Today, I remember those who have been put to death, including Australians. I also think of those who remain on death row worldwide.
And I recognise the tireless advocates, lawyers, parliamentarians and civil society organisations who refuse to look away.
Abolition has been achieved by countries in every region of the world, across different cultures, traditions, religions and legal systems. It is not the project of one group of states. It is a global movement, rooted in the protection of human rights.
And so, I repeat: Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, for all people.
And, under our refreshed Strategy, we will continue working until universal abolition is achieved.